Thompson bus driver in court for fatal crash

Norma Selzler died Oct. 19 after being struck while crossing street

Loveland resident Tracy McDowell appeared in court Thursday on a misdemeanor charge for the school bus crash that killed 70-year-old Norma Selzler in October.

McDowell, 37, faces a charge of careless driving resulting in death and is now due in Larimer County Court in Loveland on Jan. 30. He has not entered a plea to the charge.

On Oct. 17, McDowell was driving an empty Thompson School District bus back to the transportation center, 2500 E. 13th St., when he struck Selzler as she was crossing Denver Avenue. The bus was turning North onto Denver from East First Street.

Selzler was rushed to the hospital with head injuries and died two days later.

Police determined that McDowell had not been drinking and was not on his cellphone, but that he was not fully aware of his surroundings and did not see Selzler.

He was placed on leave from the school district pending the outcome of the court case.